Systems and methods to remotely monitor machine usage

Abstract

Embodiments may monitor utilization of a machine. A risk relationship data store may contain electronic records that represent a plurality of risk relationships with an enterprise. A device located proximate to the machine includes a plurality of sensors, each sensor configured to monitor at least one parameter (e.g., acceleration, speed, mileage, run-time and location sensors, etc.). A back-end application computer server may calculate an operator behavior score and a machine operation score based on sensor signals. The computer server may also determine a machine characteristics score and an amount of utilization associated with the machine. A risk relationship identifier associated with the machine is identified, and the computer server may automatically and dynamically update a resource amount associated with the risk relationship identifier based on the operator behavior score, the machine operation score, the machine characteristics score, and the amount of utilization associated with the machine.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A system configured to monitor utilization of a machine, comprising:
 a risk relationship data store containing electronic records that represent, for each of a plurality of risk relationships with an enterprise: a risk relationship identifier, at least one attribute value, and an initial resource amount; 
 a device located proximate to the machine, including:
 a plurality of hardware sensors, each sensor configured to monitor at least one parameter, the plurality of sensors selected from acceleration, speed, mileage, run-time and location sensors, each sensor generating a sensor signal encapsulating the monitored parameter and transmitting the generated sensor signal, 
 a control unit including a control unit memory that receives and stores the transmitted sensor signals and selectively combines the sensor signals, and 
 a control unit transmitter coupled to the control unit that transmits the combined signal; 
 
 a transceiver remote from the machine that receives the transmitted combined signal, and stores the combined signal in a memory unit, and a processor that processes the combined signal to capture the signal from each of the plurality of sensors, the transceiver including a back-end application computer server to:
 (i) calculate an operator behavior score based on the sensor signals, 
 (ii) calculate a machine operation score based on the sensor signals, 
 (iii) determine a machine characteristics score, 
 (iv) determine an amount of utilization associated with the machine, 
 (v) identify a risk relationship identifier associated with the machine, 
 (vi) automatically and dynamically generate an updated resource amount different from the initial resource amount, the updated resource amount associated with the risk relationship identifier based on the operator behavior score, the machine operation score, the machine characteristics score, and the amount of utilization associated with the machine; 
 (vii) automatically and dynamically generate feedback based on the operator behavior score, the machine operation score, the machine characteristics score, and the amount of utilization associated with the machine, and 
 (viii) automatically and dynamically cause a physical alteration of operation of the machine in response to the feedback, wherein the physical alteration physically changes a state of operation of the machine from a first state to a second state and the first state is different from the second state; and 
 
 an operator interface for providing an indication of the updated resource amount via a distributed communication network. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the machine is a vehicle, the operator is a driver of the vehicle, and the utilization of the vehicle is associated with a distance driven by the vehicle. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the enterprise is an insurer, the risk relationship is an automobile insurance policy, and the resource amount comprises an insurance premium of the automobile insurance policy. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the operator behavior score is associated with at least one of: (i) vehicle speed, (ii) vehicle acceleration, (iii) vehicle braking, (iv) distracted driving, and (v) a vehicle cornering characteristic. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the machine operation score is associated with at least one of: (i) a time of day, (ii) a location, (iii) a type of road, (iv) weather information, (v) an amount of traffic, (vi) a distance to another vehicle, (vii) operation of other machines in similar conditions, (viii) a risk hotspot, (ix) a distance to an intersection, and (x) a route familiarity characteristic. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the machine characteristics score is associated with at least one of: (i) anti-lock brakes, (ii) cruise control, (iii) adaptive headlights, (iv) an autonomous operation feature, (v) a camera, (vi) an automatic braking feature, (vii) a brake warning feature, (viii) a parking feature, and (ix) a lane departure warning. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the sensors include at least one of: (i) a smartphone, (ii) a tag, (iii) an On-Board Diagnostics (“OBD”) device, and (iv) a device installed in the vehicle. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the back-end application computer server is further to communicate with at least one of: (i) a claims engine, (ii) a reporting engine, (iii) a rating engine, and (iv) a digital engine. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the back-end application computer server includes an account balance management engine adapted to perform at least one of: (i) maintain a payment card associated with the automobile insurance policy, (ii) automatically arrange for a payment based on the updated insurance premium, (iii) maintain a balance for the automobile insurance policy, (iv) manage a subscription for the automobile insurance policy, and (v) automatically initiate a payment when the balance falls below a pre-determined threshold amount. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the automobile insurance policy comprises at least one of: (i) a potential automobile insurance policy, (ii) a newly issued automobile insurance policy, and (iii) an automobile insurance policy renewal. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the back-end application computer server targets the driver with an insurance offer based on the sensor signals. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback is at least one of a visual indication and an audible indication provided via a communication address associated with a mobile personal communication device of the operator of the machine. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1  wherein the machine is a vehicle and physically altering operation of the vehicle includes at least one of: (i) applying brakes, (ii) lowering a volume of a radio, and (iii) steering from a remote location. 
     
     
       14. A computerized method associated with a risk relationship between an enterprise and an entity in connection with a machine, comprising:
 accessing, by a back-end application computer server, a risk relationship data store that contains electronic records representing, for each of a plurality of risk relationships with an enterprise: a risk relationship identifier, at least one attribute value, and an initial resource amount; 
 receiving, at the back-end application computer server, machine information representing utilization of the machine, including at least one of geo-position information and machine kinematics data, via a distributed communication network; 
 determining a risk relationship identifier associated with the received machine information; 
 based on the received machine information, calculating an operator behavior score; 
 based on the received machine information, calculating a machine operation score; 
 determining a machine characteristics score; 
 determining an amount of utilization associated with the machine; 
 automatically and dynamically generating an updated resource amount different from the initial resource amount, the updated resource amount associated with the determined risk relationship identifier based on the operator behavior score, the machine operation score, the machine characteristics score, and the amount of utilization associated with the machine; 
 updating an appropriate electronic record in the risk relationship data store with the updated resource amount; 
 automatically and dynamically generating feedback based on the operator behavior score, the machine operation score, the machine characteristics score, and the amount of utilization associated with the machine; and 
 automatically and dynamically physically altering operation of the machine in response to the feedback, wherein the physical alteration physically changes a state of operation of the machine from a first state to a second state and the first state is different from the second state. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the machine is a vehicle, the operator is a driver of the vehicle, and the utilization of the vehicle is associated with a distance driven by the vehicle. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the enterprise is an insurer, the risk relationship is an automobile insurance policy, and the resource amount comprises an insurance premium of the automobile insurance policy. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the operator behavior score is associated with at least one of: (i) vehicle speed, (ii) vehicle acceleration, (iii) vehicle braking, (iv) distracted driving, and (v) a vehicle cornering characteristic. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the machine operation score is associated with at least one of: (i) a time of day, (ii) a location, (iii) a type of road, (iv) weather information, (v) an amount of traffic, (vi) a distance to another vehicle, (vii) operation of other machines in similar conditions, (viii) a risk hotspot, (ix) a distance to an intersection, and (x) a route familiarity characteristic. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the machine characteristics score is associated with at least one of: (i) anti-lock brakes, (ii) cruise control, (iii) adaptive headlights, (iv) an autonomous operation feature, (v) a camera, (vi) an automatic braking feature, (vii) a brake warning feature, (viii) a parking feature, and (ix) a lane departure warning. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the machine information is received from a plurality of sensors including at least one of: (i) a smartphone, (ii) a tag, (iii) an On-Board Diagnostics (“OBD”) device, and (iv) a device installed in the vehicle. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the back-end application computer server is further to communicate with at least one of: (i) a claims engine, (ii) a reporting engine, (iii) a rating engine, and (iv) a digital engine. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the back-end application computer server includes an account balance management engine adapted to perform at least one of: (i) maintain a payment card associated with the automobile insurance policy, (ii) automatically arrange for a payment based on the updated insurance premium, (iii) maintain a balance for the automobile insurance policy, (iv) manage a subscription for the automobile insurance policy, and (v) automatically initiate a payment when the balance falls below a pre-determined threshold amount. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the automobile insurance policy comprises at least one of: (i) a potential automobile insurance policy, (ii) a newly issued automobile insurance policy, and (iii) an automobile insurance policy renewal.